Furnace roof construction



Sept. 15, 1964 .s. LoNGENEcKER 3,148,641

FURNACE ROOF CONSTRUCTION Filed April 13, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 j 1 f4 'l T* wM-zgl g i 9| JNVENTOR.

Levi S. Longenec/rer Bmuwcam 1M Sepf- 15, 1964 L. s. LoNGx-:NECKER 3,143,641

FURNACE ROOF CONSTRUCTION Filed April 13, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 LW 22) L22 22 J v JNVENTOR.

Levi 5. Longenec/rer y By n F l g, 3 gmjfgz; 2%

HIS ATTORNEYS Sept. l5, 1964 Filed April 15, 1961 L. S. LONGENECKER FURNACE ROOF' CONSTRUCTION '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 llll /N VEN TOR.

Levi S. Longenee/rer @awww/1% Hfs A rroR/VE Ys Sept. l5, 1964 L. s. LoNGENEcKl-:R 3,148,641

FuRNAcE RooF CONSTRUCTION File'd April 13. 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 22 24 2| 2| 22 Fl g- 8 Fig. 7

INVENTOR. Levi S. Longenecker BY/wn, iWeMQ/w H/S ATTORNEYS sept. 15, 1964 Filed April 13, 1961 L. S. LONGENECKER FURNACE ROOF CONSTRUCTIN '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 HIS ATTORNEYS Sept. l5, 1964 L. s. LoNGl-:NECKER 3,148,641

' FURNACE ROOF' CONSTRUCTION Filed April 1s, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENT Levi S. Lange/1e r JzmJc/ffmv HIS ATTORNEYS Sept. 15, 1964 L. s. LONGENECKER FuRNAcE RooF CONSTRUCTION '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed April 13. 1961 ig. o

/NvE/vron. L evi 5. Longenecker fan/iw wu HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,143,641 FURNACCLE RF CNSTRUCTEON Levi S. Longeneeher, 6l Mayfair Brive, Pittsburgh 28, Pa. Filed Apr. 13, 1951, Ser. No. 102,790 24 Ciaims. (Ci. 11u-99) This invention relates to an improved roof construction for industrial furnaces and particularly from the standpoint of a refractory arch as suspended and supported by metal framework. One phase of the invention relates to a furnace roof of an arch or radial type suitable for high temperature furnace utilizations, for example, for use in a basic open hearth steel furnace.

Presently used radial or arch type of roofs present a problem from the standpoint of their period of useful life, from the standpoint of their cost, and from the standpoint of their repair and maintenance. A furnace roof for a utilization such as in the open hearth melting of steel, employs a refractory roof made up of areas of valley and ridge refractory brick, block or tile which are held in place at transverse or arch ends of the roof by skewback members of the metal framework. The ridge areas of blocks customarily represents the minor areas of the roof, while the valley `areas customarily represents the major areas thereof.

Such a roof is subject to uneven wear behavior on the inner faces or ends of the block or tile, such that erosion and spalling tend to occur in localized areas to, after a period of time, thin and eventually burn out the valley block. Attempts have been made to prolong the life of the refractory portions of the roof by top-patching over such worn-away areas, as by the application of refractory patching or cementing materials from the top of the roof. To avoid damaging the refractories, it is necessary to retain heat in the roof during the patching work. This work entails workmen entering the top of the roof to clean and dig out the local area that is to be patched or filled over. This is a tedious and extremely hot type of maintenance work. In addition, it has been found that where top patching has been eifected, the under block or brick of the overlay patch soon drop out, resulting in a loss of key block of the sprung roof.

As a result, the first seriously burned-out spot in the roof generally determines the service life of the entire roof, since the roof tends to give away when key block are dropped, as by overpatching. Due to the uneven wear behavior of the roof, more than half of the usable block thickness is not only totally lost, but must be torn out and hauled to the dump.

The presently used radial or arch type of basic open hearth roof employs valley block row groups which extend transversely in a continuous arcuate or radial path across the furnace and which are interposed between continuoustransverse rows of fully transversely-extending arched ridge blocks. rl`he rows of ridge blocks comprise row pairs between which steel plates extend and from which they project upwardly. Longitudinally-extending transversely spaced-apart hold-down beams are interposed between the tie plates above the refractory ridge rows and welded-on tie clips extendacross the hold-down beams and secure the tie plates in position thereon and as a unitary plate arch of arcuate shape along each refracp ridge blocks with valley blocks interposed in a square or rectangular-enclosed relation therebetween, the purpose being to deiine ridge block Walled areas about the valley block areas to facilitate area patching of the valley blocks by the pouring of refractory patching material over the top ends of the valley blocks within such walled areas. However, to avoid the loss of key valley blocks by such a patching operation, it is essential in such a construction to provide individual hanger rods which are suspended from the overhead framework of the roof and that latch engage with the individual valley block of each valley area. This complicates the patching operation and makes it impossible to clean and dig out the upper ends of the valley blocks to provide a good patch joint. In this construction, the ridge blocks are in single and crossing block rows and have no positive connection to the roof structure.

It thus has been an object of my invention to devise a new and improved roof construction which can be successfully hot-patched at thin areas of valley blocks without causing a loss of support of the refractory arch structure and which provides ready access to roof areas that are to be patched;

Another object of my invention has been to devise a new and improved construction and support for a refractory radial or arch type of arch roof and which will make practical not only a blow but a vacuum cleaning-off of the top portion of the refractory structure to facilitate repair work and improve its heat dissipation efliciency and thus, the operating life of the refractory blocks;

Another object of my invention has been to devise an improved arch roof structure in which valley areas of refractory blocks along the top of the roof are Open continuously with respect to each other, both transversely and longitudinally of the furnace, and whose valley blocks are supported in such a manner as to serve as skewback supports for the valley areas, independently of the skewback supports at the transverse ends of the roof arch;

A further object of my invention is to localize the support of valley block areas through ridge block areas in such a manner that the former can be patched without loss of key support in the overall roof construction;

A still further object of my invention has been to provide an improved furnace roof construction which will have an increased operating life and that, in addition, may be patched to further increase its service life without necessitating the tearing-down of such roof;

These and other objects of my invention will appear to those skilled in the art from the illustrated embodiments, the description thereof, and the claims.

In the drawings, FIGURE l is a fragmental transverse section in elevation through an arch roof construction of my invention illustrating a patched section or area;

FIGURE lA is a greatly reduced fragmental top plan particularly iliustrating the mounted arrangement of tie members with respect to adjacent transverse rows of cross beam members and associated jack members;

FIGURE 1B is a greatly reduced fragmental top plan view particularly illustrating metal frame structure of my roof construction;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal or cross section in elevation at right angles to and on the same scale as FIGURE l, particularly illustrating the patched section or area;

FlGURE 3 is a fragmental top plan view on an enlarged scale illustrating typical structure of my roof construction;

FIGURE 4 isa transverse fragmental section in elevation showing details of the structure of FGURE l and on an intermediate scale between FIGURES l and 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmental section in elevation on the scale of FIGURE 4 and taken along the line VL-V of ai/iaeai ai FIGURE 3; it will be noted that FIGURE 5 is a section taken at right angles to FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an isometric fragmcntal view on the scale of FIGURE 1 showing the post and panel construction of the refractory areas of my roof constructed as well as skewback mounting thereof;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmental top plan view on the scale of FIGURE 6 and showing the positioning of hanger members or castings with respect to the refractory block members and with support channels and lock members or castings removed for the purpose of clarity;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmental plan view similar to and on the scale of FIGURE 7 but particularly illustrating a patched area or section of the refractory blocks; in FIG- URES 7 and 8, the blocks have, for the purpose of clarity, been given color identification as follows: green for post block, brown for panel or valley block and orange for patching block;

FIGURE 9 is an exploded isometric view in elevation on an intermediate scale between FIGURES 3 and 6 showing a ridge block group ready for assembly to form a post of my roof construction;

`FIGURE 10 is an isometric view in elevation on the scale of FIGURE 9 showing the ridge blocks of such ligure in an assembled pair relationship with each other and as mounted on a hanger member or casting;

FIGURE 1l is a fragmental section in elevation taken transversely of the furnace construction on the scale of FIGURES 14 to 16 and showing the cooperative assembled relation of a hanger member or casting with a lock member or casting, a support channel member, and a refractory ridge block; in this ligure, the lock member is latch-engaged with a hooked pin end of the hanger member and is ready for turning movement (see the arrow) up into cooperative abutting assembly with the support member;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmental view in elevation on the scale of FIGURE 11 showing the assembly of a support member of FIGURE 16 with a jack member of FIGURE 17; in this figure, the full lines show a preliminary relation of the members and the arrow and the dot and dash lines show how the jack member is rotated or turned into a latching position with the support member (see the final position of FIGURE 4);

FIGURE 13 is an isometric view on the scale of and similar to FIGURE 6, but showing refractory patching block in position;

FIGURE 14 is an isometric view in elevation on an enlarged scale showing the construction of a hanger member or casting;

FIGURE 15 is a view similar to and on the scale of FIGURE 14 of a lock casting;

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentai isometric view in elevation on the scale of FIGURES 14 and 15 showing a punched support channel member;

FIGURE 17 is an isometric View in elevation on the scale of FGURES 14 to 16 showing a roof jack member;

FIGURE 18 is a greatly enlarged elevation showing the construction of block;

FIGURE 19 is a horizontal section taken along the line XIX XIX of FIGURE 18; and

FIGURE 20 is an isometric view on the scale of FIGURE 18 showing the construction of a refractory patching block; it will be noted that the construction of refractory valley block is similar except for its size and length.

It will be noted that the construction of my roof is the same at both of its transverse ends. Thus, to simplify the drawings, I have shown the skcwback mounting for only one end.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a roof whose abutting refractory block, brick or tile are arranged in a novel manner with valley block, brick or tile groups of isometric view in a refractory ridge what I have termed a panel and post arrange tent in which ridge blocks 21 constitute the post parts thereof. I have shown and prefer a side-abutting relation between the block when used as key block, although wedges may also be employed. As shown in FIGURE 6, refractory valley or panel blocks 22 are arranged in both longitudinally and transversely spacedapart panel pairs or groups along the roof that are in an alternate and connected relation with each other (as effected by single valley block rows) and that deiine a checkerboard relation with post areas defined by groups or pairs of ridge blocks 2i. As will be seen the valley blocks 22 dene panel and connecting (valley) areas that are open both transversely and horizontally along the furnace roof and, in effect, surround the ridge block or post areas, as shown in FIGURE 6. Each group of ridge blocks 2i is carried by a hanger casting or bracket member I8 that extends transversely across-between adjacent pairs of longitudinally-extending and transversely spaced-apart overhead metal structure support members or channels 15. Each support member or channel I6 is provided with a cooperating lock member' or casting I7 for each transverse line of hanger bracket members. The loci; member 17 removably forms an assembly with its associated support beam member 16 that is detachably latched in position within a downwardly-open latching slot portion 12e at the lower end portion of a vertical or downwardly projecting jack member f2.

The metal jacl; members 12 are removably suspended in a transversely spaced-apart relation along the arch of the roof as jack rows. In this connection, the jacks 12 of each transverse jack row are removably secured to project downwardly from an associated transverse overhead metal cross beam member or channel 11 of a supporting metal frame structure 1G. The roof frame structure 1) includes longitudinally spaced-apart metal beam members or channels 11 which cooperate with vertical side members of the frame structure that carry side skewback frame members 2t) for the refractory roof. It will be noted that jack members i2 of each transverse row (see FIGURE 1A) have a longitudinal alignment with J cli members of adjacent or other transverse rows to define longitudinal rows to carry the longitudinally-extending support members L5.

If desired, rows of arched metal tie members 15 may be removably secured in a transverse arcuately-extending relation along each row of hanger jack members 12 above the support beam members 16 and thus, in a verticallyupwardly spaced relation with the refractory roof structure, and the ridge hangers 13. As shown in FIGURE 1, the tie members 15 constituting each row may rest upon the top iianges of the longitudinally-extending support members or channels 16 including their associated lock members or castings 17. Bolt and nut assemblies 1.4 that extend through holes 12b in the lower end portions of the jack members 12 (see FIGURES 1 and 17) maybe employed to secure the tie members 15 in position.

This new construction makes installation and tearing down much easier and permits a satisfactory patching type of service maintenance. Due to the better or more efiicient cooling action of the refractory portion of the structure, including the feature of easy cleaning-off of its upperface, the service life of the refractory structure has been increased over 30% above that of the presentlyused type of radial or arch roof construction. In addition, top patching may be effected at localized areas without damage to the overall structure, particularly from the standpoint of its key supports, The work may be done much more easily and under less cxtreme temperatures than heretofore involved, thus improving working conditions of the repairmen.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in the drawings (sec FIGURES l and 6) ridge bricks or blocl-:s 21 are shown as employed or set up in group pairs of four to a side or a totai of eight bricks for cach post arca and valley brick 22 are set up in group pairs of six bricks to a side or a total of twelve bricks to form interconnecting panels in such a manner that the post groups exchange position with the panel groups in a checkerboard fashion. Thus, each post area is completely surrounded by a valley area that increases the self-cooling effect and produces a longer service life of the blocks, bricks or tiles. Each group post area or cluster of ridge blocks 21 is equipped with its own hanger member or casting 18 (see FIGURES and 14); each hanger 1S has a spaced bottom row of hanger Ts or feet 18a and end hanger feet 18b which engage within end latching slots 21a of upper end portions of the adjacent pairs of the blocks 21 in each area to serve the dual purpose of hold-down and suspension. This makes possible the elimination of the present relatively costly hanger plates and eliminates the tedious field welding involved in securing hanger plates together in transverse rows by tie pieces.

Each hanger member or casting 1S of my construction (see FIGURES 3 and 14) is provided with an elongated forwardly-projecting latching finger or pin end portion 18d, shown of cruciform shape and extending from an end abutment 18C to slidably pass through au aligned slot or hole 16a in the flange portion of one support member or channel 16. At its other end, the hanger 18 has a shorter-length, inwardly-projecting finger or pin end portion 1812 also shown of cruciform shape, to extend through an aligned hole 16a (see FIGURE ll) in the flange portion of an adjacent support member or channel 16. It will be noted, as shown in FIGURE 11, that the opposed and inwardly-projecting pin end portion 181 extends from an opposite end abutment 18e, and that an adjacent hooked, bent-over or crooked finger pin end portion 18g extends outwardly from the same abutment 18e to latchengage Within an elongated slot or hole 1'71 of an ear or lug 17e of an associated lock member 17 (see also FIGURE 15). Thus, each hanger member 1S is capable of movement or adjustment transversely or in the direction of the arch of the furnace roof to provide a flexibly-latched mounting for the post areas of the brickwork. This allows for take-up due to any variation in the block or brick widths.

The roof may be installed by setting the blocks on centers, one row of post or ridge blocks 21 and valley or panel blocks 22 will be placed. Then the hanger feet 1de of one row of hanger members 18 may be set in the latching slots, notches or pockets 21a of the blocks 21. A similar row of blocks 21 and blocks 22 may then be put in place with the ridge blocks 21 facing one another in such a manner as to engage with opposite ends of the same hanger feet 18a (see FIGURE 10). All driven key blocks may then be located in the panel sections at about four or five places per arch or ring. The juggling of the various sized key block necessary to produce a proper lit will all be accomplished in the panel block areas which utilize standard key blocks 22. The post blocks 21 with hanger or latching notches 21a is shown in FIGURES 18 and 19 of special shape and may be supplied in only one size. The refractory blocks are preferably given a slight taper or convergence downwardly.

After all the refractory blocks and hanger castings are in place and the key blocks have been driven, the fingers 1de! of the hanger members or castings 18 (see FIGURE 3) will be positioned within the holes 16a of adjacent pairs of support channel members 16 (see FIGURE 16) and the lock members 1'7 are latched-over the hooked end portion 18g of an associated hanger member 18 and are then turned or rotated upwardly into position (see FIG- URE 11). The assembly (see FIGURE 12) or" the lock members 17 with the support members 16 will be such that the webs of both will be in side-abutment and the top flange of both will form the flange of an I-beam (see FIGURE 4). The lock members 17 can be shifted in location longitud-inally along the support members 16, for example, at intervals of six inches, such that they can always be placed under the furnace hold-down steel.

Each jack member 12 (see FIGURE 17) is shown as a punched-out channel which can be pivoted over the top flange of the support member 16 (see FIGURE 12) and then moved transversely (longitudinally of the furnace) to engage the top I-beam flange formed by an assembly of the lock member 17 with the support member 16. The top end of the jack 12 is then secured by a bolt and nut assembly 13 (adjustable in slot 12a) to an associated frame member 11 to hang downwardly therefrom. Such top connections are the only bolt and nut assemblies required in the whole furnace if radial tie members 15 are not used. About three or more (depending on the transverse extent of the roof) equal-length arcuate tie members 15 may be employed (see particularly FIGURES 1A and 2) for spanning each pair of associated or adjacent transverse rows of jack members 12 to facilitate their mounting and dismounting in the furnace roof structure. As shown in FIGURES l, 1A and 2, one piece or member 15 may extend along about three jack members 12 of one transverse row and the next tie member or piece 1S may extend from the longitudinally opposed third jack member 12 of the other row of the associated or adjacent rows of jack members, along three jack members of the other row. The next tie member 15 may be mounted to extend from the fifth jack member of the one row of the associated pair of transverse rows and this staggered manner of mounting may be continued in the same manner transversely along the furnace. In this manner, the tie members 15 are easily mounted and dismounted and can be produced in strong, relatively short lengths and will be tied at their ends with respect to each other by the support members 16 which extend across the associated pair of transverse jack member rows. Bolt and nut assemblies 14 may be employed for securing the tie members 15 to each jack member 12. Thus, one cross tie member assembly of members 15 may be used for every two adjacent or somewhat closely spaced-apart transverse row pairs of jacks 12 and beneath the cross beam members 11.

As shown particularly in FIGURES 2, 5 and 6, all valley areas defined by the shorter length refractory blocks 22 are interconnected with valleys which run lengthwise of the furnace. The deeper wells provided oy my refractory blocks in their assembled relationship make it possible to use a suction type of cleaner which is a better roof cleaning method than 'a blowing-off operation. As shown in FEGURE l, skewback channel member 19 is shown provided with substantially large, for example, 4 x 4 vent openings 19a which make it possible to blow dirt off skewback brick or block 2t? where it has been previously substantially fully boxed-in.

In FIGURES l, 8 and 13, I have shown a typical patch that may be effected on a roof construction of my invention. When any of the panel blocks become thin and show red when the furnace is heated, a sprung type of patch utilizing patching blocks 24 can be installed between post or ridge block groups and, if desired, a hold-down channel or beam member 25 may be installed between the top of the refractory patching blocks 24 and the tie members 15 to hold them down. The member 25 may, if desired, be secured to adjacent tie members 15 or an additional jack member 12 may be added and latched over its upper end. The construction of the patching blocks 2d shown in FIGURE 20 is similar to that of the valley blocks 22. lt will be noted that, as in the case of the ridge blocks 21, metal cladding may be used to reinforce and protect the blocks 22 and 24.

As previously intimated, it is well known that when an over-lay type of patch is installed, the thin under-section of refractory blocks will drop out. In my construction such dropping-out will be limited to the length or area of a valley panel or area, since transversely and longitudinallyopposed adjacent groups of the post or ridge blocks y21 will serve as skewback supports. This is distinguished from previous ridge and valley furnace roof constructions where any such failure will allow the whole transverse 'refractory arch or ring to drop out from skewback to skewback.

With reference to FIGURES 5 and 15, the lock members or castings 17 are shown as having a central body portion provided with easy grip hole portions 17a, reinforcing vertical ribs 17d, `and a top iiangel 17b with which the top flange of an associated support channel member 16 defines a top flange of an I-beam when they are assembled with respect to each other. The lock casting 17 is also shown provided with a bottom flange 17e which has a central upwardlyoifset portion 17C' for facilitating bypassing the mounting nger end 13d of the hanger casting or member 18 when the roof is being assembled. The locking member 17 also has a pair of spaced-apart downwardly-projecting ears or lugs 17e adjacent its opposite ends which are provided with horizontallywidened through-slots 17j to receive bent linger ends 18g of the hanger members 13 (see particularly FIGURES 4 and 5).

Incidentally, the elongated vertical slot 12a adjacent the upper end of each jack member 12 provides take-up adjustment of the jacks and thus, of the supported refractory roof structure with respect to metal frame structure 1) and particularly, with reference to an associated cross channel 11 and its associated downwardly-projecting end pieces 11a (see FIGURE l). A hole 12b adjacent the lower end of each jack member 12 is adapted to receive nut and bolt assemblies 14 and an upwardly enlarged or T-shaped slotted latching portion 12C is open to the bottom end of the member 12; as shown in FIG- URE l2, it is adapted to latch-engage with an associated support channel member 16. Holes 16a in a longitudinally-spaced relation along the bottom portion of the web of the support channels 16 (see FIGURES 5 and 6) serve to by-pass and slidably receive the pin or finger ends 18d and 1-3f of the hanger members or castings 18.

As will appear from the drawings, the sprung roof construction disclosed employs refractory brick, tile or block member groups which have a staggered relationship with each other, both longitudinally and transversely of the furnace, and which are supported by a hold-down structure of the metal framework through the agency of ridge` or post groups of blocks 21. By alternating smaller aren post block groups with wider valley or panel groups in checkerboard fashion, I have been able to have every post group completely surrounded by valley or panel blocks. The refractory blocks 21 and 22 are supported at their sides and ends by buttress or skewback blocks 2t) keyed therewith. Each group of post blocks 21 is carried by its own hanger casting or member 1S and this member, in turn, is carried between transversely adjacent pairs of support members 16 and thus, between a transverselyadjacent pair of vertically or downwardly-projecting metal jack members 12 that, in their transversely-aligned and spaced-apart relation, define a transverse row of jack members.

Support and lock member assemblies (comprising members 16 and 17) of one longitudinal row of jack members 12 are interlatched with the bottom end of the jack members and slidably receive linger or pin ends 18d of the hanger members 18 that extend transversely from one side of the assemblies and latch-receive the opposite Vfinger or pin 112]" and ends 18g of other hanger members 13 that extend transversely from the other of the assemblies (see FIGURE 3). Thus, the hanger members or castings 18 are free to slidably adjust their relationships between adjacent pairs of assembled members 16 and 17 during expansion and contraction of the roof construction in its usage, and to facilitate erecting and disrnounting of the furnace structure. With reference to FGURES l, 1A and 5, it will be noted that the beam members 11 are .shown of channel shape, being closed on their open sides by welded-on plate members 11a and, at their ends, by downwardly-projecting welded-on diagonal plate members 11b on which the jack members 12. abut. Thus, the beam members 11 define a somewhat closed box shape. As shown in FIGURES l and 7, jack, support and lock member assemblies may be omitted and are not required for the outer ends of the hanger members 18 that are positioned adjacent the sides of the refractory roof or adjacent the skewback members of the metal framework 10.

It will be apparent that the lock members 17 which with the support ehannelse 16 dene a substantial l-beam assembly and are employed for facilitating the latch-engagement of the support members 16 with the jacks 12. In each substantial I-beam assembly of latch and support members, the web portions of these somewhat channelshaped members are in a back-to-back relation. In my refractory roof construction, instead of using two ridge rows and four valley rows of blocks, I employ (as shown in FEGURE 2) two adjacent ridge blocks and two adjacent valley blocks, taken longitudinally of the construction. Further, instead of using conventional l5-inch height or depth of ridge row blocks and l2-inch height or depth of valley blocks, I prefer to use IS-inch ridge row blocks and 9-inch valley blocks, so that when patching blocks are used, the build-up will give a desirable overall depth of valley blocks. 1n this connection, the deep wells produced by the difference in height of the ridge and valley blocks of my construction make practical the use of suction cleaning, whereas it is not practical using ridge and valley blocks that more nearly approximate the same height. A further advantage is that I have found that valley blocks of the lesser height give longer service. My type of suspension and hold-down construction makes practical the utilization of an improved dif ferential in heights between valley and ridge blocks and facilitates cleaning and patching operations, in addition to making possible a patched roof that has a longer life in a patched condition. The hanger members or castings 18 serve as hold-downs for the refractory roof in addition to suspending it from the post areas of such roof.

As shown particularly in FIGURES 18 and 19, the refractory blocks 21 employed as ridge or post block areas are especially constructed for latch engagement and holddown support and suspension by the hanger members 18. In this connection, it will be noted that the latching slots :21a are positioned in the upper end portion of the bloei: Z1 and that the lower transverse or horizontal portion of each latching slot 21a is open to and extends along an adjacent one of the opposed narrow side faces of the block and only about halfway thereacross, being closed at its inner end and open at its outer end. Also, the vertical or longitudinal portion of the latching slot 21a extends along a corner edge of the block and is open at its upper end to the upper end of the block and, at its lower end, is open to the open end of the horizontal slotted portion. Two opposite latching slots 21a are shown positioned in an opposed relation with respect to each other along opposite narrow sides and adjacent one of the opposed wider side faces of the block.

What I claim is:

l. In an arched furnace roof construction having an overhead framework provided with longitudinally spacedapart and transversely-extending cross beam members, jack members mounted in a transversely spaced relation along each of the cross beam members and projecting downwardly therefrom to define transverse jack member rows along the beam members, longitudinallyextending and transversely spaced support members, each of said support members being detachably carried by lower end portions of longitudinally-aligned jack members of at least another transverse jack member row to define longitudinal support beam rows in a transversely spaced relation with each other, hanger members positioned to eX- tend transversely and being detachably connected at their opposite ends between adjacent pairs of said support members, refractory blocks positioned beneath said hanger members in anrinterfitting relationship with each other and defining an arched refractory roof, and hangers projecting downwardly in spaced progression along each of said hanger members and detachably engaging with and carrying adjacent groups of said refractory blocks to suspend and hold down the refractory roof from said hanger members.

2. In an arched furnace roof construction as defined in claim 1 wherein, said refractory blocks comprise groups of ridge blocks and groups of valley blocks in a closely interfitting relation with each other, and said ridge blocks constitute the groups with which said hangers detachably engage.

3. In an arched furnace roof construction as defined in claim 2 wherein, said groups of valley blocks define panel areas that are offset downwardly from the top of the refractory roof, said groups of ridge blocks define post areas that are spaced from each other at the top of the furnace roof by valley blocks of said valley block groups and are offset upwardly from the top of the furnace roof, so that said panel areas define passageways at the top of the furnace roof about said post areas for cooling fluid fiow, and said panel and post areas are arranged in checkerboard fashion along the refractory roof with panel areas fully surrounding post areas.

4. In an arched furnace roof construction as defined in claim 2 wherein, said groups of valley blocks dene panel areas that are offset downwardly from the top of the refractory roof, said groups of ridge blocks define post areas that are offset upwardly from the top of the furnace roof, and said panel and post areas are positioned in a checkerboard pattern transversely and longitudinally from the top of and along said refractory roof to define opposed post areas longitudinally and transversely of said panel areas.

5, In an arched roof construction as defined in claim 4 wherein at least one group of refractory patching block is positioned on top of valley blocks of one of said panel areas and is supported both transversely and longitudinally by abutting engagement with ridge blocks of said opposed post areas.

6. In a suspended furnace roof construction having an arched refractory roof and a metal framework for suspending and supporting the refractory roof from its top and its longitudinal and transverse ends, at least one transversely-extending overhead beam member carried by the framework above the refractory roof, at least a pair of opposed skewback members carried by sides of the metal framework and engaging opposite transverse ends of the refractory roof, a series of downwardly-projecting jack members carried by said overhead beam member and defining a transverse row of jack members along and above the refractory roof, a longitudinal support member detachably carried by a lower end of each of said jack members to extend longitudinally of said beam member above the refractory roof, a lock member cooperating with each of said support members to hold said support members in a detachably-latched relation with the lower end of its associated jack member, transversely-extending hanger members, each of said hanger members detachably interlatching transversely between adjacent pairs of said support and lock members to define a hanger member row transversely along the furnace above the refractory roof in substantial alignment along said overhead beam member, said refractory roof being made up of abutting refractory valley and ridge block groups defining a post and panel t structure from the top of the refractory roof, each of said ridge block groups having latching slots therein adjacent their upper end portions and lying along beneath in cooperative association with one of said hanger members, and each lof the said hanger members having downwardlyprojecting hangers latch-,engaging within the latching slots of an associated group of said ridge blocks to suspend and hold down the refractory roof therefrom.

7. In a suspended furnace roof construction as defined in claim 6 wherein, each of said jack members has a downi@ wardly-open latching slot portion, said support member is detachably latch-engaged within the latching slot portion of an associated jack member, and the associated lock member is constructed to be turned within said latching slot portion into cooperating abutment with an associated support member to denne at latching assembly therewith.

8. In a suspended roof furnace construction as defined in claim 6 wherein means adjustably secures an upper end portion of each of said jack members to said overhead beam member.

9. In a suspended roof furnace construction as defined in claim 6 wherein, at least one arch tie member extends as a transverse row along said jack members above said support and lock members, and means secures Said tie member to said jack members adjacent their lower end portions.

10. In a suspended roof construction as deiined in Claim 6 wherein each of `said hanger members has opposed pin end portions that detachably interlatch transversely between adjacent pairs of said support and lock members.

11. In a suspended arch roof construction as defined in claim 10 wherein, one pin end portion of each of said hanger members extends outwardly from one end thereof and is of hook shape, each of said lock members has a slotted portion therein with which the hook shaped pin end portion of said hanger members is constructed to latch-engage, the opposite pin end portion of each of said hanger members extends outwardly from its opposite end, and each of said support members has a hole portion therethrough to slidably receive said opposite pin end portion.

12. In a suspended roof furnace construction as delined in claim 11 wherein, each of said hanger members at its one end has a pin end portion extending inwardly thereof from said hook shaped pin end portion and that is construe-ted to engage within the hole portion of one of a transversely adjacent pair of said support members when the opposite pin end portion is slidably received within the hole portion of the other support member of said adjacent pair and the hook-shaped pin end portion is in latch-engagement with Athe slotted portion of the lock member that is associated with the one support member of said adjacent pair.

13. In an arch furnace roof construction having a metal frame structure defining overhead and side supports and having refractory blocks beneath the overhead supports and between the side supports in an arched sideby-side closely-abutting relation to dene a roof, a plurality of transversely-extending and longitudinally spacedapart overhead beam members carried by the frame structure, transverse rows of jack members secured to extend downwardly from each of said overhead beam members towards .the refractory roof, rows of transversely-extending tie members secured to lower end portions of jack members of each of said transverse rows, the jack members of said transverse rows being positioned along said overhead beam members in longitudinally-aligned rows with jack members of another transverse row, a longitudinally-extending flanged support member for each longitudinally-aligned row of said jack members, each of said jack members having a downwardly-open latching slot portion to latch-receive a web and upper fiange portion of an associated support member, a lock member for each of said support members, and yhaving web and upper flange portions cooperating with the web and upper flange portions of an associated support member to define a latching assembly within the latching slot portion of each of said jack members, each of said lock members being constructed for turning-in movement Within the latching i slot portion of its associated jack memberk and into la, cooperating abutting relation with an associated,supportaV member, a plurality of transversely-extending hanger tions to detachably receive the opposite pin end portions of each of said hanger members to carry the hanger members of each transverse row between adjacent transverse pairs of said support and lock members, and each of said hanger members having hanger feet projecting downwardly therefrom and latch-engaging with groups of the refractory blocks of the roof to suspend the roof therefrom.

14. In an arch furnace roof construction as dencd in claim 13 wherein the refractory blocks of the roof comprise, ridge blocks defining post areas and having latching slots to receive said hanger feet of said hanger members, valley blocks deiining panel `areas between said post areas, and a group of side-abutting patching blocks positioned on upper ends of at least one panel area of valley blocks and in a side-abutting relation between ridge blocks of adjacent post areas, whereby the ridge blocks define support skewbacks for the patching blocks.

l5. In an arch furnace roof construction as defined in claim 14 wherein a jack member is positioned in abutment with the top of said group of patching blocks and cooperates with the frame structure to hold said patching blocks down in position between said ridge blocks.

16. In a suspended roof construction having an arched refractory roof and a metal framework for suspending and supporting the refractory roof from its top and its sides, abutting refractory blocks defining the refractory roof and comprising ridge and valley blocks, said ridge blocks at the top of the refractory roof define upwardlyoffset top post areas and said valley blocks detining downwardly-offset panel areas, said panel areas at the top of the refractory roof spacing said post areas in checkerboard groups with respect to each other to define cooling passageways for cooling tiuid about said post areas, the refractory roof terminating at its sides in valley blocks, sicewbaclt metal frame members carried by the metal framework and supporting side valley blocks, and said skewback frame members having portions open therethrough above the side valley blocks for introducing cooling air above said blocks along said panel areas.

17. In an arched refractory furnace roof construction, refractory blocks positioned in an arched relationship with each other across the roof, said refractory blocks comprising groups of ridge blocks and groups of valley blocks in an interfitting relation with each other, said groups of valley blocks defining panel and connecting areas that are offset downwardly from the top of the refractory roof, said groups of ridge blocks defining post areas that are offset upwardly from the furnace roof, said post and panel areas being arranged in a checkerboard fashion along the refractory roof to define post areas longitudinally and transversely of said panel and connecting areas that are surrounded by said valley blocks, and means associated with said post areas for carrying the refractory roof.

18. In an arched refractory furnace roof construction, refractory blocks positioned in an abutting and arched relationship with each other across the roof, said refractory blocks comprising groups of ridge blocks and groups of valley blocks in an intertting relation with each other, said groups of valley blocks defining panel and connecting areas that are offset downwardly from the top of the refractory roof, said groups of ridge blocks defining post` areas that are offset upwardly from the furnace roof, said post and panel areas being arranged in a checlrerboard fashion along the refractory roof to define post areas longitudinally and transversely of said panel areas that are surrounded by said valley blocks, and holddown means latch-engaging with the ridge blocks of said post areas for supporting the refractory roof construction.

19. In a furnace roof jack member for cooperating with a web side of a rigidly-secured overhead longitui `dinal frame member to hold-down a furnace refractory `w`arched-roof structure which has a transverse roof-carrying flanged support member and a cooperating flanged locking member, a vertically-extending metal body having a web side therealong, means at the upper end portion of said web side for removably and vertically-adjustably securing said body against vertical movement with its web side in abutment on the web side of the longitudinal frame member to project-downwardly from the longitudinal frame member, a latching slot portion open to and extending upwardly from a lower end of said web side of said body and defining an enlarged inner transverse latching slot portion to detachably latch-receive the flange of the flanged support member therein, and said latching slot portion dening an opposed enlarged inner transverse slot portion to detachably-receive the flange of the flanged locking member therein `to lock the anged support member in position within said latching slot portion.

20. In a furnace roof jack member as defined in claim 19 wherein, said body is of channel-shaped, said means has a vertically-elongated closed-end slot portion in the upper end portion of said web, and said latching slot portion is of upright T-shape.

21. In a furnace roof hanger member for cooperating with and cross-connecting a spaced-apart pair of loadcarrying support members and an associated locking member for each support member to suspend refractory roof blocks of a furnace and wherein each support member and its associated locking member have slot portions therein, a horizontally-elongated metal body having hanger feet portions projecting downwardly therefrom in a spaced progression with respect to each other therealong to latch-engage with the refractory roof blocks, said body having opposed end abutments, a latching pin end portion projecting outwardly from one of Said end abutments to latch-engage the slot portion of one of the locking members, a slide pin end portion projecting inwardly from said one abutment to enter the slot portion of the support member that is associated with the one locking member, and a slide pin end portion projecting outwardly from the opposite abutment of said end abutments to enter the slot portion of the other support member.

22. In a furnace roof lock member for locking a loadcarrying support member within a latching slot of an overhead frame structure of a furnace roof construction and for receiving a latching end portion of each of a pair of spaced-apart hanger members of the overhead frame structure and wherein the support member has a flange projecting from one side thereof and has a planar web extending along an opposite side thereof, a horizontallyelongated metal body having a planar web along one side thereof to abut with the web of the support member within the latching slot of the overhead frame structure and having an outwardly-projecting top latching flange projecting from its opposite side to engage the latching slot, said body also having an outwardly-projecting bottom flange projecting from its opposite side, and a horizontally-spaced pair of slotted-out lug portions projecting downwardly from said bottom flange to receive the latching end portions of the pair of hanger members.

23. In a furnace roof lock and support member assembly for locking within a downwardly-open latching slot portion of an overhead frame structure of a furnace roof construction and for receiving latching end portions of one set of hanger members and slide pin end portions of a second set of hanger members, a horizontally-elongated metal body of channel-shaped providing a support member, a second horizontally-elongated metal body of substantially channel-shaped providing a lock member, said support member being constructed to be positioned within the latching slot portion with its top flange projectingoutwardly in engagement therewith, said locking member being constructed to be positioned within the latching slot portion with its web in a face-to-face abutting relation with the web of said support member and with its top iiange in latching engagement with the latching slot portion to substantially define an I-beam assembly with 13 said support member, said support member having spaced open portions -therealong to slidably-receive the slide pin end portions of the second set of hanger members, and said lock member having lug portions projecting downwardly from its bottom ange and said lug portions being o provided with open portions therethrough to receive the latching end portions of the one set of hanger members.

24. Transverse refractory furnace roof ridge block pairs for latch-engaging as a longitudinal post group of transverse pairs in a downwardly-suspended relation from a progression of hangers projecting downwardly from a longitudinal hanger member of a furnace roof construction wherein, each ridge block of said pairs is a rectangular body having opposed narrow vertical side faces and opposed wide vertical side faces and top and bottom end faces; a latching slot is defined in each of said narrow vertical side faces adjacent an upper end portion of said body and in an adjacent portion of an inner one of said Wide vertical side faces, said latching slot having a horizontal slotted portion open to the inner wide vertical side face and open to and extending part way along an associated narrow vertical side face, said latching slot having a vertical slotted portion open to a top end of said body and extending along and open to a corner thereof and open to said horizontal slotted portion; the inner wide vertical side faces of the blocks of each of said block pairs being adapted to be positioned in abutment with each other and with their said latching slots in a transversely and 1ongitudinally-aligned opposed relation with each other to define inverted T-shaped slots at the top ends of the blocks of each said pair to receive and latch-engage on one of the progression of hangers.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Read Oct. 21, Olsen Dec. 12, Risley June 25, Fortune Oct. 6, Altman Nov. 28, Hosbein July 7, Kuss Oct. 27, Rau Mar. 23, Strachota May 3, Walsh June 25, Dobie Dec. 10, Brookes May 27, Shaw Apr. 19, Hosbein Aug. 9, Walter et al Sept. 13, Cash Jan. 9, Longenecker Aug. 5, Forsyth Nov. 3, Longenecker Mar. 20, Goyer Jan. 19, Sommer et al. Nov. 29, Barkley May 23, Longenecker Oct. 24, Bransford Feb. 13,

FOREIGN PATENTS France Aug. 29, 

17. IN AN ARCHED REFRACTORY FURNACE ROOF CONSTRUCTION, REFRACTORY BLOCKS POSITIONED IN AN ARCHED RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER ACROSS THE ROOF, SAID REFRACTORY BLOCKS COMPRISING GROUPS OF RIDGE BLOCKS AND GROUPS OF VALLEY BLOCKS IN AN INTERFITTING RELATION WITH EACH OTHER, SAID GROUPS OF VALLEY BLOCKS DEFINING PANEL AND CONNECTING AREAS THAT ARE OFFSET DOWNWARDLY FROM THE TOP OF THE REFRACTORY ROOF, SAID GROUPS OF RIDGE BLOCKS DEFINING POST AREAS THAT ARE OFFSET UPWARDLY FROM THE FURNACE ROOF, SAID POST AND PANEL AREAS BEING ARRANGED IN A CHECKERBOARD FASHION ALONG THE REFRACTORY ROOF TO DEFINE POST AREAS LONGITUDINALLY AND TRANSVERSELY OF SAID PANEL AND CONNECTING AREAS THAT ARE SURROUNDED BY SAID VALLEY BLOCKS, AND MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID POST AREAS FOR CARRYING THE REFRACTORY ROOF. 